Belt buckle



April 14, 1953 c. A. SPANGANBERG 2,634,477

BELT BUCKLE Filed April 25, 1949 IN VEN TOR. Uffa/m A. SPA/vm M919? 6;

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 BELT BUCKLE Clifford A. Spanganberg, Rochester,N. Y., as-

signor to Hickok Manufacturing Co., Inc., Rochester, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application April 25, 1949, Serial No. 89,518

Claims.

This invention relates to belt buckles. The invention more particularlyrelates to an initial belt buckle.

Heretofore, belt buckles have been provided with one or more initials onthe face thereof. The initial or initials, however, in the prior beltbuckles were either embossed or otherwise imprinted on the face of thebuckle or one or more initials were inserted in a depressed or cut outportion on the face of the buckle.

In the prior belt buckles, therefore, it will be seen that the initialor initials were simply a part of the actual face of the buckle or onthe face of the buckle. Thus a definite face portion of the buckle isprovided to hold or carry the initials thereon.

In the present belt buckle, there is no face portion thereof as such.The face portion of the present belt buckle is the initial, letter ofthe alphabet or other indicia itself which is cut-out to more clearlydefine the same and to allow the portion of the belt behindsarne toprovide a background therefor. In other words, the initial of thepresent belt buckle constitutes the face portion thereof and when thisface portion in the form of the initial is attached to a base portion,in spaced relationship to the latter, the free end of the belt passes inthat space portion between the rear side of the initial and the frontside of the base of the buckle and forms a background for the cut-outportion or portions -of the initial, letter of the alphabet or othercut-out indicia.

In the present buckle, the base portion is so formed that any one of thecut-out letters of the alphabet or other indicia or an emblem or thelike may be readily secured thereto and constitute the entire or soleface portion of the buckle.

This belt buckle is so formed that when the buckle is on display or inuse the only exposed part thereof will be the initial or letter of thealphabet which constitutes the entire or sole face of the buckle.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the invention to providea belt buckle wherein the face portion thereof is in the form of aninitial.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buckle consisting of abase portion and an i initial or the like which constitutes the entireor sole face of the buckle, the said base and initial being associatedwith each other so that Another object of the invention is to provide va belt buckle wherein the face portion is in the form of an initial andwhen the belt is in use the only portion thereof that is visible is thesaid initial.

Another object of the invention is to provide a belt buckle wherein theentire exposed face portion thereof is in the form of an initial.

Another object of the invention is to provide an initial belt bucklewhereby the initial may be readily secured to the base of the buckle andmaintained in proper relationship with respect to the base.

Another object of the invention is to provide a common belt buckle baseso that any one of the letters of the alphabet may be readily secured tothat base.

Another object of the invention is to provide an initial belt bucklewhich is highly practical and simple and inexpensive to manufacture andyet being highly ornamental.

Another object of the invention is to provide a belt buckle consistingof a rear and face portion connected together so as to define a throughpassageway for a free end of a belt therebetween and wherein the faceportion of the buckle is at least co-extensive in width with the rearportion thereof and the said face portion consists entirely or solely ofsuitable cut-out indicia so that the free end portion of the belt backof the indicia forms a background therefor and, of course, where thebelt buckle has associated therewith means to which one end of the beltis secured thus securing the belt to the buckle or vice versa.

With the above objects in mind, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointedout in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportions, and minor details of construction,within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings wherein like numerals in the several figures thereofdenote the same parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of the initial buckle.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the buckle.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the line 4 4 of Fig. 1of the buckle showing the buckle attached to a belt and with the freeend of the belt passing through the buckle.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the buckle taken on the line 5 5of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion or back plate or baseof the buckle; and,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one initial or letter of the alphabetconstituting the face of the buckle.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to thedrawings in detail. The buckle denoted generally at B consists of twointegral parts; namely, a base or rear portion C and the cut-out initialor letter D or the like constituting4 the entire or sole front facethereof.

The base portion C` of the buckle is ofv generally rectangular shape andis preferably fabricated frorn metal, precious or other metal or alloysor other suitable material and includes and has on its front side 8substantially diametrically disposed elongated recesses or depressions 9and l t adjacent the upper right corner thereof and the lower leftcorner thereof, respectively. These recesses or depressions 9 and l@ onthe face Sl of the base of the buckle result in similarly shapedelongated embossures ll and I2, respectively, on the rear face |3- ofthe buckle base. A belt attaching eye or loop le is formed integral withand extends at a slight angle with respect to one end of the base of thebuckle. The upper and lower portions l5 andY I6 of the eye or loop l areinthe form of inwardly directed flanges ll.

As stated, the eye or loop Hl at one end of the base of the buckle isinclined with respect to-the base of thebuckle as will be clearly seenin Figs. 3, 4 and 6 and this inclination with respect to the base of thebuckle is provided so that when the end of the belt is attached to theeye by means of looping the same therethrough the space between theinclined portion and the face of the base of the buckle will besufficient to allow the turned over attached end' of the belt to bedisposed in that space and when the free end of the belt is insertedthrough the buckle, it will lie in substantially the plane of the baseof the buckle and not project forwardly when the belt is about the bodyof the user and which is hereinafter more fully described.

The otherv extreme end i8 of the buckle hasl buckle base and then isturned as at 2l at a rightV angle to the base and finally turned or bentas at 22 substantially parallel'with and spaced from the base. Thistongue structure provides in effect a hook which engages in a selected`opening in the belt as hereinafter described.

The initial D whichconstitutes the front or face portion of thefbeltbuckle, may be any initial or letter of the alphabet or other indiciasuch as an emblem or the like. This particular initial D is the letter Rofthe alphabet and, of course, this letter is shown for illustrativepurposes only. The initial D is of the cut out type; namely, that thereis a cut out portion 23 and another cut out portion 24. Of course,different letters of the alphabet will necessitate different cut outportions. However, any initial or letter may be used just so long asthatinitial, letter, emblem or the like constitutes the face portionI of thebuckle and that portion being that which is exposed when the buckle isproperly attached to a belt in use. The particular initial shown hasitsexterior contour 25beveled, which-beveling 26 iscorrespondinglycarried out in the cut-out portions of the initial or letter. Theportion 27 which is in between the aforesaid beveled portions of theinitial is preferably at any may be suitably ornamented, as by hammeringor enameling for color, etc.

As seen in Fig. '7, the initial D has upper and lower right angularlydisposed flanges 28 and 29, respectively, and integral with theseflanges 28 andv 29 there are integral upper and lower webs or attachingplates or members Sil and Si. respectively, and which webs or attachingmembers are substantially parallel with the face of the letter orinitial.

rIhe webs or attaching plates 3c and 3i which are elongatedsubstantially correspond in shape with the diametrically disposedrecesses or depressions 9 and l0 in the base of the buckle. Hereit willbe, noted that the letter or the initial is slanted with respect to thevertical when the buckle is viewed in front4 elevation and thus theattaching plates or webs 3G and 3l are out of vertical alignment, so tospeak, so that they may be disposed and secured in the said recesses ordepressions 9 and Illl in the base of the buckle. The manner of securingthe initial by means of the webs or plates 30 and 3l in the recesses ordepressions 9 and la may, indeed, be varied. One means of securing theinitial and the base of the buckle together is by soldering as indicatedat 32 or, of course, the solder may be disposed between the walls of therecesses or depressions 9 and it and the at faces of the webs or plates3B and 3l. Soldering is merely mentioned as exemplary of one means ofsecuring the belt to the base. The main object, of course, is tosuitably carry'or associate the initial which constitutes the face ofthe buckle with the base of the buckle.

When the initial orletter is secured to the base of the buckle, ashereinbefore described, by means of soldering or otherwise attaching thewebs or plates 3 and 3| in the recesses or depressions 9 and IB, therewill in effect be present a substantially flat inner side of the base ofthe buckle as the gauge of the metal' of the webs or plates 30 and 3| isof substantially the same depth as the depressions 9 and Ill whereinthese webs B and 3|, respectively, are secured'. Thus, there is adjacenteach of the recesses or depressions substantially flat portions 33 and'31%' of the base of the-bucklethat are connected by the intermediateportion 35'.

With reference to Fig-..4 wherein the buckle isy 31 of the belt isinserted through the eye I4 at one endV of the bucklebase and is turnedVover on itself at 38 and stitched at 39 thereby securing that end of thebelt to the buckle or vice versa. Usually, there is a slide or-loop lillat the attached end of the belt and this loop or slide for the free endof the belt may also be of leather or suitable material andis preferablysecured at the end' of the belt by means of theY aforesaid stitchingv39. The free end of theV belt 4l, as will be noted in Fig. 4, has beeninserted between the inner face of the buckle rear portion C and theinner face of the face portion D, as indicated at 42, and which end ofthe belt' is provided with a series or plurality of openings 43, any oneof the free end ofthe belt to the'buckle. furthery benoted in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings that the end of the belt is such that when the belt is wornthe turned over end portion of the belt which is attached to the eyewill not project or protrude forwardly and be unsightly when in use.This inclining or olf-setting of the eye I4 of the buckle provides thespace necessary between the free end of the belt and the attached end ofthe belt so as to prevent any protruding forwardly of the attached endof the belt when in use.

One rather wide letter or initial constituting the face of the buckle isshown. It is obvious, however, that two or more narrow initials orletters may be combined and constitute the face of the buckle.

From the foregoing, it is believed quite clear that a highly practicalbelt buckle is provided and wherein the buckle consists of only the twoY integral elements; namely, the base of the buckle and the initialwhich constitutes the front or face portion of the buckle and whichinitial or letter only is visible when the belt buckle is in use on abelt.

I claim:

1. A belt buckle consisting of a substantially rectangularly shaped rearportion having oppositely disposed end edges, a loop at one of the saidend edges, a hook at the other of the said end edges, a face portion ofthe buckle including substantially right angularly disposed flanges atthe top and bottom edges thereof, the said flanges terminating inintegral webs that are disposed in spaced parallel relationship with thesaid face portion, means for securing the webs to the rear portion ofthe buckle so that the face portion thereof is in the said spacedrelationship to the said rear portion to define a through passageway fora free end of a belt therebetween, and the said face portion of thebuckle being at least cao-extensive in width with the rear portion andconsists solely of cut-out indicium whereby the portion of the free endof the belt back of the indicium forms a background therefor.

2. A belt buckle consisting of a substantially rectangularly shaped rearportion having oppositely disposed end edges, a loop at one of the saidend edges, a face portion of the buckle including substantially rightangularly disposed flanges at the top and bottom edges thereof, the

said fiangesterminating in integral webs thatv are disposed in spacedparallel relation with the said face portion, means for securing thewebs to extensive in width with the rear portion and comprises cut-outindicium whereby the portion of the free end of the belt back of theindicium forms a background therefor, and wherein the rear portion ofthe buckle is provided with spaced depressions and the said webs of theface portion of the buckle are seated and secured in the saiddepressions.

3. A belt buckle consisting of a rigid elongated rear plate-like memberhaving opposite end edges and including a face portion thereof, a loopintegral with and extending outwardly from one of the end edges, a hookintegral with the rear member and extending outwardly from the facethereof, a face member of the buckle including a substantiallyright-angularly disposed .flangelat the' top and bottom edges thereof,the flanges termi-: nating in integral webs that'are disposed in spacedparallel relationship with the said face I member, means for securingthe webs to the rear member of the buckle so that the face memberthereof is in the said spaced relationship to the said rear member todenne a through passageway for a free end of a belt therebetween, thesaid .face member of the buckle being at least coextensive in width withthe rear member and consists solely of cut-out indicium, whereby theportion of the free end of the belt back of the indicium forms abackground therefor, and the hook is adapted to engage a portion thereofand holdthe free end of the belt.

4. A belt buckle consisting of a rigid eiongatedf rear plate-like memberhaving opposite end edges substantially right-angularly disposed flangeat 1 the top and bottom edges thereof, the ilangesterminating inintegral Webs thatl are disposed in spaced parallel relationship withthe said face member, means for securing the webs to the rear member ofthe buckle so that the face member thereof is in the said spacedrelationship to the said rear member to define a through passageway fora free end of a belt therebetween, the said face member of the bucklebeing at least coextensive in width with the rear member and consists`of a cut-out letter of the alphabet, vwhereby the l portion of the freeend of the belt back of the letter of the alphabet forms a backgroundtherefor, and the hook is adapted to engage a portion thereof and holdthe free end of the belt.

5. A belt buckle consisting of an elongated rigid plate-like rear memberhaving oppositely disposed end and side edges and a front face portion,a loop at one of the said end edges and projecting therebeyond at anangle with respect to the plate-like rear member and integral therewith,a hook integral 4with the rear member and extending outwardly beyond itsfront face por`- tion, a face member of the buckle having asubstantially right-angularly disposed flange at thetop and bottom edgesthereof, the flanges terminating in integral webs that are disposed inspaced parallel relationship with the face member, the rear memberhaving oppositely disposed elongated depressions in the face portionthere-rn of and which depressions are open at the said opposite sideedges and on the face portion thereof kand are substantially of the sameshape and proportions as the said webs-and with the webs seatedand-secured in the said depressions so that the face member of ythebuckle is in the said spaced relationship to the rear member to define athrough passageway for a free end of a belt therebetween, the said facemember of-the buckle being at least coextensive in width with the rearportion and consists of cut-out indicium,

whereby the portion of the free end ofthe belt back of the indiciumforms a background there- Y for, and the hook-is adapted to engage aportion thereof and hold the free end of the belt.

6. A belt buckle consisting of an elongated rigid plate-like rear memberhaving oppositely disposed end and side edges and a front face portion,aloop at one of the said end edges and projecting therebeyond at anangle with respect to the plate-like rear member and integral there- 7with',.-a' hook integral with. the rear memberand extending; outwardly"beyond its front face portion, a. face. member of the buckle including'asubstantially right-angularly disposedv flange at the top and bottomedges thereof, the flanges. terminating. in integral webs. that lareldisposedin spaced. parallel relationship with .the face member, therear member having oppositely disposed: elongated depressions in theface. portion there-J ofand which depressions are open at. the said"opposite side-edges and on the faceportionthere of and` aresubstantially of the same shape and..

proportions as4 the said Webs and with thewebs. seated and secured inthe said. depressions so that. the. face` member` of the buckle;l is inthe said spaced relationship to the rear member to' definev a throughpassageway for av freev end of a belt therebetween, the said faceportion of thek buckle being, at least coextensive in width with therear portion and consists solely of a cut-out. letter. of thealphabet,whereby theV portion of the free; end ofthe belt back of the letter ofthe alphabet forms a background therefor, andthe hook is' adapted toengage a portion thereof and hold the; free end of the belt. Y

7.. A belt buckle consisting of a substantially rectangnlarly shapedrear 4portion having op positely disposed end edges,; a loop at one. ofthe said end edges, a hook at; the other of. the. said end edges, a faceportion of the buckle. including substantially right-angularly disposedanges at. the top and bottom edges thereof and said flanges terminatingin integral webs that are. disposed in spaced parallel relationship withthe said facel portion, means for securing the webs to therear portionof the. buckle so that the face portion. thereof isin the said spacedrelationship to the said rear portionto define a through passageway fora free end of a belt. therebetween, andthe said face` portion of thebuckle being at least coextensive. in. width with the. rear portion andYconsists solely of a cut-out` letter of the alphabet.. wherebyV theportion of thef free end of. the` belt.v back. of. the letter of thealphabet vforms a background therefor, and the. hook is. adapted to en-.A

gage a portion thereof` and hold the free end of the belt.

LA belt buckle; consisting of av substantially rectangularlyeshaped rearplate-like. member.'v

having oppositely'disposed end. edges, a. loop at;

one of the. end edges andprojecting therebeyond.

and integral therewith. a hook. at the. other. of. they end. edges and`projecting, therebeyond, and integral therewith,` a face member -of the`buckle including a substantially right-angularly dis-1 posed-flange atthe top and bottornedges thereof', theflanges terminatingv in integralwebsrthat are disposedin spaced parallelrelationship with the.

said face member, means forl securing the. webs to:

the.. rear member of the. buckle. so thatthe. facef member thereof is inthe said spacedrelationship to the rear member to define athroughpassage way for a. free. end of a belt. therebetween,A the, saidface member of the bucklel being at least.. coextensive inwidth with therear member and. consists solely of av cut-out letter of theY alpha-bet,whereby the portion of the; free end` of the. belt. back. of, the.vletter of the, alphabet. forms a. back.-y

ground therefor, .and the. hookv is.: adapted*v to. engagea portionthereof. .and hold the free end. of' the` belt. L.

`9. A beltA buckle. consisting of a substantially rectangularlyshapedrear plate-like member having. oppositely disposed end edges, aloop at one of. therend' edges and projecting therebeyond and integraltherewith, a. hook at the other of the end edges and. projectingtherebeyond and integral therewith, a face member of the buckle having asubstantially right-angularly disposed. flange .at the. topv and bottomedges thereof, the flanges. terminating in integral webs that aredisposed ini spaced parallel relationship with the said face member,means for securing the webs to the rear.`

member of the bucklev so that. the face member thereof is in the lsaidVspaced relationship t0 thei rear member to define a through passagewayfor a free`- end of a belt therebetween, the said. face member of thebuckle beingw at least coextensive in widthY withv the rear member andconsists solely of suitable cut-out indiciurn, whereby the por.- tion ofthe free end of the belt back of the indicium forms a backgroundtherefor, and the hook is adapted to engage a portion thereof and holdthe free end of the belt.

10. A belt buckle comprising an elongated rigid.

rear member having, oppositely disposed end and side edges and a frontface: portion, a loop at one of thev said end edges and projectingtherebeyond to provide a belt. receiving opening so that a belt can beattached to said1loop,.a front.

member of said. buckle having a. substantially right-angularly disposed.flange at. the top andv bottom edges thereof, the said flanges terminating inintegral webs that are disposed in spaced parallelv relationshipwith the front member, said. rear member having oppositely disposedelon. gated recesses at the opposite side edge portions, saldi recessesbeing open at the opposite side edges, said webs being seated andsecured in the said recesses so that the front member of the: buckle isin spaced relationship to the rear member to dei-lne with said flanges.a through passageway for a free end of the belt therebetween, and azxedmember carriedY byY saidrear member and extending forwardlyl of saidrear memberinto the' path of the passageway for a free end of the beltfor engagement therewith to retain the same in position; andthe saidfront member of the buckle being at least' ooextensive inv width withthe rear portion and comprises at least one cut-outindicium whereby theportion of the free end'of the belt back of the ind'icium formsa back--ground therefor.

CLIFFORD' A. SPANGANBERG..

References. cited in, the. sie of this. patent.

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 740,951 Uhlrig Oct. 6, 190311,654,805- I-Iamric Jan. 23, 1928l 1,764,175 KerkhoffA June i7, 19302,209,714 Chernow July 30, 194i)` 2,221,926 Quant Nov. 19, 19402,260,878 Wl'iitey Oct; 28, 1941

